Episode 13: The Merry but Risky Lives of Skidders, Teamsters and River Drivers

ALGONQUIN DEFINING MOMENTS

Episode 13: The Merry but Risky Lives of Skidders, Teamsters and River Drivers

This third of three episodes on the history of logging in Algonquin Park and the Ottawa Valley shares details as to how the cut logs and square-timber were hauled out of the bush, driven down the rivers that led to the Otttawa River and eventually conveyed to saw mills or floated by the raft to Quebec City. It includes insight into what the life of skidders, teamsters and river drivers were like including a few shanty songs uncovered on an internet archive site. In addition, I’ll share insights into the history of the controversy over logging in the Park, how the logging industry has evolved in the 20th Century and a few thoughts as to the challenges that still exist with achieving the multifaceted objectives of today’s Algonquin Park.